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A fun dining event is “rolling” into Disney Springs June 2 and 3! Springs Street Eats will highlight eight food trucks – featuring some Central Florida favorites, including the Fantasy Fare and World Showcase of Flavors usually found in Exposition Park! You’ll find the trucks in the West Side neighborhood outside of Cirque du Soleil Friday, June 2 from 4 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, June 3 from noon until 11 p.m. With live entertainment, this food truck rally is sure to be a tasty event that’s fun for the whole family. Check out the visiting food trucks below! Fantasy Fare – Treat your senses to fan favorites found at Disney theme parks around the world – like the famous Hand-dipped Corn Dog! World Showcase of Flavors – Try signature sandwiches inspired by the cuisine featured at the Global Marketplaces during the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Caketeer – Offers high quality gourmet cupcake and custom cake products throughout the Downtown Orlando and Central Florida area, made using the finest culinary-grade ingredients. Philly’s Best Cheesesteaks – The best cheesesteaks in or out of Philly are on the prowl on the streets of Florida! Philly’s Best Cheesesteaks are serving up hot and fresh cheesesteak sandwiches just for you! Real Philly Cheesesteaks, you just can’t get any better than that! 900 Degreez Pizza – This converted container food truck features a bespoke imported Italian wood-fired oven that can cook a pizza in an unbelievable 90 seconds. The food truck façade features an all-glass panel that allows customers to view the chefs at work. Magic 4 UR Palate – Maintaining a high standard and quality to creativity, our dishes are appealing to the eye and at the same time arouse the taste buds, leading you to crave more. The London Fish and Chippy – Homemade beer batter is the perfect dip for preparing specialty haddock fish and chips. Bringing seafood lovers a vast selection of fresh fried seafood you will enjoy. Tikiz Shaved Ice – Bringing sweets to the streets, Tikiz Shaved Ice is the ice cream truck of the future! Offering Ice Cream as well as refreshing Hawaiian Shaved Ice where Guests can dispense their own custom shaved ice syrup creations. View the full article

The opening scene of the new "Pirates of the Caribbean" is a fitting metaphor for where we stand in this long franchise: A creaky old galleon is unceremoniously yanked up from the ocean depths and the only things aboard are cranky old ghosts. A weary, battered fifth chapter — "Pirates of the Caribbean:... View the full article

We’re coming to you today from The Market at Ale & Compass! Learn About: The Market at Ale & Compass Disney World Restaurants Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “Great! But where’s Ale & Compass?” The Market at Ale & Compass is located in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. You may already be familiar with Ale & Compass Lounge, which sits near the Captain’s Grille (which is currently closed for refurbishment — guests can enjoy Captain’s Grille dishes at its temporary location in Ariel’s). The Market at Ale & Compass, however, is located right by the Fittings & Fairings gift shop (which is… umm, also closed for refurbishment , with a reopening planned for July. Change is the name of the game ‘round these parts!). With the exception of the Yacht & Beach Club’s pool bar, Hurricane Hanna’s, the Yacht Club has been without a Counter Service option, with guests relying on nearby choices at the neighboring BoardWalk Inn and Beach Club. Sign for The Market at Ale & Compass The Market at Ale & Compass is here to change that… and it’s been a long time coming. Step inside! Atmosphere The Market at Ale & Compass has been established in half of what was the Fittings & Fairings gift shop (the other portion of the space will once again operate as a merchandise spot once it reopens in July). The Market at Ale & Compass One of the reasons the Yacht Club greatly needed a Counter Service option is that it is a Convention Resort as well as a Disney World guest resort. We’re talking lots of folks in and out on the way to conferences and meetings in need of a place to grab a quick bite without hiking over to the Beach Club Marketplace or Boardwalk Bakery. Market Hours For that reason, the setting is very much function over form, with the food options front and center in a fairly simplistic, minimalist setting, with wooden tables and baskets providing a few rustic touches, a la an outdoor marketplace. The Market at Ale & Compass The Market at Ale & Compass Though the emphasis is on allowing guests to get in and get on their way, there is also a section of tables and chairs. All pretty basic. (Note that there is currently no outdoor seating.) Seating Area In many ways, it’s the food itself that provides most of the “decor.” Food front and center So let’s take a look at those options next. Eats With an apparent focus on the convention crowd, the food at The Market is primarily grab-and-go style eats. The Market Offerings Sign That said, you will also encounter a menu with hot offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Menu Specialty coffee is at the ready for guests in need of a caffeine fix. Specialty Coffee Menu Now, for a closer look. In all areas from the pre-packaged grab-and-go to the cold refrigerated selections and so on, you’ll notice some differences compared to what we’ve found in the past at Disney food courts. Even though The Market carries standard choices such as Lay’s brand chips, granola bars, and cereals, you’ll also spy lots of higher-end brands among them. Granola Bar selections with Luna and Larabars Cereals at the breakfast bar Cereals Take, for instance, the pre-packaged choices, which include Epic Salmon Bites, The New Primal Jerky, and Smash Mallow Snackable Marshmallows. Epic Salmon Bites The New Primal Jerky Smash Mallow Bagged and boxed items include Carrot-Zucchini Bites, Gruyere Choux, Lemon Macarons, and even chocolates from The Ganachery. Bagged Snacks Display Carrot-Zucchini Bites Lemon Macarons Gruyere Choux The trend continues with chilled choices, with hummus, tabouleh, and shrimp cocktail among the salads and cold sandwiches. Chilled Options Chilled Options Chilled Options Even the frozen novelties have a unique addition. Ice Cream Novelties As far as we know, The Market is one of the only places selling Halo Top on property at the moment. Halo Top Ice Cream Hot options are available for breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. Sticky Buns Spinach and Feta Pastry The hot counters are kept fully stocked for high traffic hours. If they are on the empty side when you arrive, you can visit the coffee counter to place a hot sandwich order during less busy times. Two bakery cases hold your basic croissants, muffins, sweet breads, and the like. Bakery Case Bakery Prices Bakery Case Bakery Prices Drinks include basic bottled beverages (with a few not-so-basic, like Orgain Protein Shakes), wine, and beer. Bottled drinks Organic Protein Shakes Wine Display Chilled White Wines Coke Freestyle customizable drinks are also an option. By the way, did you know you can mix your drink flavors, even with the whole Rapid Fill refillable resort mug and cup situation? Rapid Fill Refillable Resort Mugs Just fill your cup halfway with whatever flavor option you select, then press the “back arrow” to the upper left of the screen, and select your next choice to fill the rest. Coke Freestyle Machines Whew! So, that’s the setup! I ended up trying a couple of sandwiches, pastries, and a few “somethings sweet” from the desserts. Desserts First things first: when you have you ever known me to resist a Cinnamon Roll? Cinnamon Roll The Market’s version is just your basic, other than that it’s quite light and flaky; not dense at all. And this one was notably fresh. Cinnamon Roll I was also intrigued by the Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips from the bakery case. Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips As it turns out, the chocolate provided nearly all the flavor, as the banana bread itself was pretty bland. Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips Cast Members shared that the Ham and Cheddar Cheese served on a Pretzel Roll has been the most popular of the hot sandwiches. Ham and Cheddar Cheese on a Pretzel Roll I assume that’s because of said pretzel roll, which is always a draw, but honestly there’s nothing remarkable about this one. Ham and Cheddar Cheese on a Pretzel Roll I much preferred the other hot sandwich I ordered: the Spicy Italian Panini, which is capicola (smoked pork shoulder), mortadella (an Italian lunch meat), ham, provolone cheese, and giardinere (a vegetable and herb blend) served on a baguette. Spicy Italian Panini Two things stand out with this sandwich: first, this thing is PACKED with flavor from the interesting combination of meats. Spicy Italian Panini Second, this sandwich IS, indeed, spicy, thanks to the giardinere (which typically includes serrano peppers in the mix). Spicy Italian Panini Even though The Market is not meant to be destination dining, I would come back specifically for this sandwich. So that’s saying something. Since they went beyond your typical cupcakes and ramekin offerings, I decided to try three of the desserts. Desserts on the Tray The Chocolate Coffee Mousse a bit of a nice surprise. I’m not a chocoholic, really, but this rich mousse with its punch of mocha flavor was much better than I expected. Chocolate Coffee Mousse While I wasn’t particularly wowed by any of the desserts, as far as chocolate dome options in Disney World go, this was the best one I’d tried. (Though it still wouldn’t be on my must-eat list._ The Apple Mousse is definitely cute and eye-catching. Apple Mousse Apple Mousse It’s an apple mousse covered in a thick glaze, served on top of a bit of apple compote above the crust. Apple Mousse Its looks are the most memorable thing about it, though, and there’s no reason to go for it over the chocolate. My final dessert was the Lemon Cheesecake, which is topped with a blackberry mousse and a blackberry foam with a gritty texture that I didn’t particularly care for. Lemon Cheesecake The base is simply your typical lemon cheesecake that you’ll see in other spots around property. Decent flavor, but nothing special. Additionally, it’s really small for what you pay for. Pass. Still, the dessert options at least differed from what I anticipated, as did many of the selections packed into the space. I’ll be curious to see how the choices go over with the resort’s guests, and we’ll be keeping an eye out to see if any changes take place to the offerings in the future. Overall The Market at Ale and Compass is what it is. Like I said, it’s not destination dining. In all fairness, though, it’s not intended to be. It’s a simple convenience for guests at the resort, and a solid option primarily focused on serving convention traffic. This is why it was interesting to spot some fairly unique choices and decent variety in what otherwise is a mostly an amped up grab-and-go. In that sense, it reminds me a lot of Cafe Rix in Coronado Springs Resort — another resort that hosts lots of convention guests. The Market and Cafe Rix both fulfill a basic role of providing easy access meals, but in both cases you can also find at least one or two items that are somewhat unique and above par. And since it’s high time that the Yacht Club had a Counter Service option of its own, we’re glad to say “Welcome” to The Market at Ale & Compass. Nosh or Not? Eat Here If: You’re staying at the Yacht Club or Beach Club You’re in a hurry and need a hot sandwich or a pastry You love a good Italian pressed sandwich You really need Halo Top Don’t Eat Here If: You’re staying anywhere else on property You’re looking for very kid-friendly food You want atmosphere/ambiance, or you’re looking to make memories with your food choices during this meal What do you think of having additional dining choices at the Yacht and Beach Club? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Relocating to Ariel’s During Refurbishment New Year’s Eve Celebration at Yacht & Beach Club Resort to Feature Adventurers Club Entertainment Guest Review: Photo Tour of NEW Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill at the Yacht and Beach Club Resort View the full article

It’s time again to see what’s happening around the Disney Twitter-sphere! @Disney celebrated National Chocolate Chip Day with this fun Chip-inspired tweet. View the full article

There’s a lot to be excited for with the opening of Walt Disney World’s “Avatar”-themed land. Pandora: The World of Avatar, which has its grand opening May 27, will bring a lush new land filled with literally out-of-this-world settings, rides, merchandise to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Not to mention... View the full article

Summer has arrived early at D-Living in Town Center at Disney Springs. This dynamic home décor store for Disney fans and kids of every age recently introduced an outdoor summer theme. I caught up with Patrick Scanlan, Manager of Product Design and Development for Disney Parks Merchandise, to get the inside scoop about what guests will find during their next visit. “[D-Living] is celebrating the summer with a bright new theme,” explained Patrick. “The shop features a mix of home décor products from Disney Parks and beyond, vibrant summer colors, and intriguing visual elements we hope will inspire our guests.” The space is comprised of eight themed stories that encompass an ultimate Disney summer. Guests will find a blooming garden complete with a brightly decorated table, and a beach-inspired area with decorative surfboards, beach towels, sandals and more. Another section in the shop contains a variety of Star Wars-themed items perfect for an outdoor barbeque with the Force. David Soliman, Area Manager for Merchandise Presentation at Disney Springs, shared details about the visual displays his team created for the location. “My team and I love being inspired by Disney merchandise to create immersive retail experiences,” said David. “With D-Living, we’ve been able to try many new visual displays. This time, we attached a giant Minnie Mouse statue covered in red and white flowers to a brick wall. We also created a twelve-foot stack of blue furniture to display our latest home décor line, the Citrus Collection. These whimsical displays are a fun way to complement many wonderful products from Disney Parks.” Some of my favorite details include the suspended LED panels that make you feel you are under a cloud-filled, summer sky. The team also painted flower pots to resemble characters from the Star Wars galaxy. I also invite you to look carefully at the butterflies found on the giant green Disney “D” behind the register area. D-Living is located adjacent to UNOde50 in Town Center at Disney Springs. View the full article

Are you excited as we are for the grand opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar on May 27? This Wednesday, May 24, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will host a very special dedication moment for this new land – and our #DisneyParksLIVE cameras will be there to live stream the amazing moment! The #DisneyParksLIVE stream of the dedication will begin at 9:25 a.m. ET right here on the Disney Parks Blog. A fresh post containing the live stream will appear at the top of the blog at that time. Pandora – The World of Avatar will give guests the chance to explore an interactive world filled with bioluminescent rainforests, floating mountains and surprising flora. Here, guests can experience Avatar Flight of Passage, an attraction that sends guests flying over Pandora on a banshee, and Na’vi River Journey, a family-friendly boat ride that travels down a mystical river. Tune in to our #DisneyParksLIVE broadcast on May 24 for a very special look at this new land. View the full article

We’re less than a week away from the official opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and we have some more food news to share! Pandora – The World of Avatar We recently shared our review of the lunch and dinner menu at Saut’li Canteen in Pandora, but if you’re visiting first thing in the morning there’s a breakfast menu featuring sweet and savory dishes! If you prefer a savory start to the morning in Pandora, Satu’li Canteen is serving up a Vegetable Goat Cheese Frittata with Wood-Fired, Herb-Crusted Beef and Chimichurri, and a Pork Shoulder Potato Hash with Chorizo Sausage and Natural Jus. Vegetable Goat Cheese Frittata ©Disney The Steamed Pods (Bao Buns) were a hit at lunch at Satu’li Canteen, and you’ll also find Steamed Pods on the menu for breakfast stuffed with Scrambled Egg, Bacon, Spinach and Pickled Vegetables. Satu’li Canteen Breakfast Menu On the sweeter side you’ll find Tropical Pandora Forest Fruits with Yogurt Muesli and Vanilla Maple Syrup; Steel-Cut Oats with Whiskey Raisins, Marcona Almonds, and Goji Berry; or Cinnamon Swirl French Toast with Blueberry Cheesecake Dollop and Passion Fruit Anglaise. We’re hearing you can’t go wrong with the Cinnamon Swirl French Toast! Cinnamon Swirl French Toast with Blueberry Cheesecake Dollop ©Disney The kids’ menu at breakfast includes a kid-size version of the Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, a Scrambled Egg Steamed Pod, oatmeal, or cereal with milk. Opening day for Pandora – The World of Avatar and the Satu’li Canteen, is Saturday, May 27! You can check out all of our Pandora coverage on our Pandora page! What are you looking forward to eating at Satu’li Canteen? Let us know in the comments. Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Full Menu for Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora News: Mobile Ordering and Menu Items Coming to Pandora’s Satu’li Canteen How-To and Step by Step: Mobile Order Process Debuts at Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora View the full article

Inside Look at Copper Creek Villas With Imagineer | Disney Vacation Club View the full article

This week, we continued our countdown to the opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with new stories and experiences especially for Disney Parks Blog readers. We hosted a special meet-up, shared menu items for Satu’li Canteen and featured a new interactive way to explore Pandora and support conservation efforts on Earth. Readers were also among to first to learn that Mobile Order will be available at the park’s Satu’li Canteen restaurant on May 27. Mobile Order, which can be found in the My Disney Experience app, offers the added convenience of being able to place orders and purchase meals on-the-go. You select menu items, customize orders and pre-pay for meals during park visits – all within the app. Check out our original story for more details. We also shared some exciting news out of Shanghai Disney Resort this week. As part of its celebration of China’s National Tourism Day, the resort announced that Shanghai Disneyland recently welcomed its 10 millionth guest. That makes Shanghai Disneyland the most popular theme park opening ever in China. Take a look at our original story. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Come Dancing This Summer at Disneyland Park – It’s almost summertime in the Happiest Place on Earth! Who’s up for a date night at Disneyland, taking in a lively performance by a great band? If that sounds like music to your ears, then I’ve got exciting news for you! Disney’s Night of Joy 2017: Ticket Price, On Sale Date Update – We have a new ticketing structure for this event being held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and I wanted to share it with you. This year, we’ve really tried to create a ticketing structure that meets the needs of a variety of different types of guests including Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Celebrates the Grand Opening of Disney Explorers Lodge – We’ve got some exciting news out of Hong Kong Disneyland as the resort celebrated the grand opening of Disney Explorers Lodge, a new 750-room hotel that has to be seen to be believed. First Look at New Spaces and Experiences Aboard the Disney Fantasy – The Disney Fantasy set sail on her first cruise after a sprinkling of pixie dust that brought new fun for kids, adults and families. Each new area is marked by meticulous detail and unmistakable Disney touches. Breakfast Menu for Satu’li Canteen at Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Excitement over the debut of Pandora — The World of Avatar means that guests will be arriving early each morning when the new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens. Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America Attractions Return to Disneyland Park this Summer with New Magic – When the iconic Disneyland Railroad and the Rivers of America attractions return to Disneyland park this summer, guests will discover new magic aboard these classic experiences. As we first shared last year, and seen in the artist’s rendering below (courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering), the gorgeous new north bank of the Rivers of America will feature a beautiful new waterfront and an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Railroad will travel. View the full article

It’s almost time for the official grand opening of Pandora: the World of Avatar, but several DFB team members were able to secure an Annual Passholder Preview so that we could give you all the scoop on the foods and drinks you’ll find in Walt Disney World’s newest land. We’ve covered the Build-Your-Own-Bowl options at Satu’li Canteen and sucked down more than a few boba balls and some green beer at Pongu Pongu. So today, we’re trying three Pandoran prepackaged snacks, which you can find in various locations in Pandora. And these are totally thematic, people! First up is the Teylu Gummi Candy. As the story goes, teylu are similar to shrimp and serve as a main source of protein for the Na’vi people. We can’t say the same for the gummies (no protein here!), but they definitely look the part! Teylu Gummi Candy They’re skewered on a stick, just as the Na’vi might skewer their teylu to cook over a fire. Great detail, right? Flavors here are, thankfully, not shrimp, but instead: Dragon Fruit, Lemon, and Fruit Punch. The texture is very soft gummy — the kind of gummy that you have to chew for a looooong time to make a dent. ;-D And my hands-down favorite flavor was lemon. I couldn’t tell if the blue one was Dragon Fruit and the purple one was Fruit Punch or vice versa, but neither of them did much for me. The sugar dusting the teylu was sweet, but had smidgen of sour crystals as well. It’s honestly a little bit disconcerting to eat something so shrimp-like (grub-like? worm-like?) in these bold colors, but at least the appearance is Pandora perfect! Teylu Gummi Candy Next up are Pandoran Tree Spores. These are Coconut Brownie Bites, made vibrant and colorful by the use of blue- and purple-tinted coconut. Pandoran Tree Spores We appreciate that they mimic the vibrancy of the land itself, and they come in an handy plastic bag. So you can share (like the tag recommends) or hoard them all to yourself. And, honestly, it’s not like these are huge. They’re pretty small bites, and all four together are smaller than most brownies, so you can share if you want, but… . Pandoran Tree Spores Now, the inside is pretty standard chocolate brownie. You won’t be blown away by it, but it is soft and moist (no dry brownies here), and the flavor is good. The addition of the coconut does amp these up a little. And they’re totally enjoyable little bites. Pandoran Tree Spores Finally, we had to pick up the Vein Pod. So, here’s the thing. It’s a totally innocuous Krispy Treat, right? But it’s called a Vein Pod. Which sounds kind of icky. And looks kind of icky. We get it — we do. But. Veins. (FYI, a Vein Pod is apparently part of a plant that sucks up methane on Pandora…and smells disgusting as a result. So who wouldn’t think to create a food item recreating that, right? That makes total sense.) Vein Pod But actually, it’s pretty cool to look at. This might be the one your little boys are after, since it definitely looks alien. (Plus, methane = farts, so your kid could totally call this a fart pod and he’d kind of be right.) The dense krispy treat is covered in green-hued white chocolate, and decorated with milk chocolate veins. Vein Pod It’s pretty standard, but obviously pre-packaged in its flavor. No fresh-tasting krispy here. So, if you buy this one, make it solely because you totally want a vein pod rice krispy treat and not because you want a fresh, yummy snacks. Vein Pod Interior Additionally, Pandora also introduced these AVATAR-themed snacks. If you try them, let us know what you think! The Celia Fruit Gummies are strawberry-flavored and were highly recommended by cast members in Wind Traders! Celia Fruit Gummi Candy The Pandoran Rock Candy is…pretty self-explanatory. Sugar crystals on a wooden stick in blue raspberry, grape, and cotton candy flavors. Pandora Rock Candy Pre-packaged Blueberry Almond Popcorn is up next! Blueberry Almond Popcorn And the Expedition Trail Mix is a good treat to stick in your park bag and take with you around the World! Golden raisins, dark chocolate chunks, kiwi, pineapple, almonds, strawberries, papaya, cranberries, and coconut! Pandora Expedition Trail Mix And there’s even more to sustain you on Pandora. Don’t forget to check out our video with sneak peeks inside Pandora while you’re preparing for your adventure. Overall, the inclusion of new snacks and treats in Pandora has us all excited. Keep in mind that during these early stages of opening, things are prone to change. But we think these snacks have some staying power! What are you most excited about discovering in Pandora — the World of Avatar? Let us know! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Pandora — The World of AVATAR Opens May 27th in Disney’s Animal Kingdom First Look! Pandora — The World of AVATAR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! FULL Review: The New Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora — The World of AVATAR View the full article

Earlier this week we shared a look inside our Disney Parks Blog “Happily Ever After” meet-up, which took place on the night of the show’s debut performance. You can literally see the excitement on the faces of our guests who came out to see this beautiful show. Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the show’s opening with us! View the full article

Pandora - The World of Avatar Meet-Up | Disney's Animal Kingdom View the full article

There’s no evidence that Mickey Mouse has visited the planet of Pandora. And you’re unlikely to see any of it at the “Avatar”-inspired land opening soon at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Visitors just won’t find the company’s famed mouse-ear hats re-imagined with otherworldly flair there.... View the full article

We are back with some of our very best kept Disney Dining Secrets, courtesy of the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition. And we want to share them with you! And today’s topic is so big that we’re not just writing about it…we’re sharing a DFB Video about it too! So what’s this all about? Read on… The Disney Dining Plan and Other Discounts: Do the Math It’s a question that we get over and over again: Does the Disney Dining Plan really save me money? The answer depends heavily on the person asking it, and the people using the benefits. Let’s break it down. The Disney Dining Plan. Will the Disney Dining Plan save me money? Well, the answer is…maybe. It all depends on how you get it, and how savvy you are as you use it. Eight Spoon Cafe Menu With Lots of Disney Dining Plan Snack Options Disney Restaurants, for the most part, operate within very specific ranges of cost per meal. So when you use those Disney Dining Credits, they’ve already pretty much figured out how much, on average, your meal would cost without them. Plan a Visit to California Grill, or One of Our Other Recommended Signature Spots, to Use Those DDP Credits Wisely But the key, of course, is on average. If you consistently go for the highest priced menu items, and weigh that against the cost of the plan per day, then you’re likely to see some savings. For an idea of what we mean, check out our post listing our top picks for Disney signature restaurants, based upon price. Boma at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort is a Good Choice But that being said, you still have to tip on the cost of the meal, so will you be paying more in tip based upon a higher meal cost than you would if you weren’t trying to “get your money’s worth”? It’s something to consider. One thing is for sure: you will lose money on the Disney Dining Plan if you don’t use all of your credits! So be sure to research ahead and book those advance dining reservations. There is nothing worse than having to “eat” those leftover credits. But What About Free Dining? In recent years, Disney has offered Free Dining Plan promotions in an effort to lure guests during historically low occupancy times. And it’s worked like a charm! Many Disney fans breathlessly await offers of free dining to book their next adventure. Free Dining is Always a Hit But are you saving? Again, it depends. Because here’s the sticky part: Free Dining Deals normally require you to pay full price for your Disney Resort Room, and they also usually require a minimum theme park ticket purchase. If you can find a great deal on a room, or you’re already an Annual Passholder, these deals are unlikely to net you much in the way of savings. Use Your Free DDP to Dine with Winnie the Pooh! In our 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition, we spend an entire chapter crunching numbers — with and without resort discounts, with and without Free Dining, etc. — to show you exactly how you can save money on the Plan. Still, some guests think that the real savings of the DDP isn’t in terms of money. Instead, they see it as a time saver, and a way to pre-pay more of the trip’s expenses, thereby freeing up spending money for other things. Take a look at the video, and at our DFB Guide to WDW Dining e-Book, for more great details! Ready for All of Our Best Tips? We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips — including the actual math on whether or not the DDP will save you money — in our big, bold 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition! With more than 650 pages, the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of the 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition E-book — and use code HAPPYPLACE for a 20% Discount for a limited time! So now, please weigh in below. Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it to you and yours? Leave a comment and tell us what you think! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Tips from the DFB Guide: Top 5 Disney Dining Plan One-Credit Values for 2014 New DFB Video: Tips from the DFB Guide — Three Great Ways to Save on Food at Disney New Video: Our Disney Dining Plan Recommendations for One-Credit Restaurants! View the full article

If you’ve been to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i, you have hopefully noticed the many Disney touches at the resort. One particularly special surprise can be heard in our elevators and throughout Aunty’s Beach House. If you listen closely, you’ll hear classic Disney songs being sung in Hawaiian! When planning for the opening of Aulani Resort, Walt Disney Imagineering selected a variety of songs from the Disney collection and collaborated with producer, songwriter and artist Kenneth Makuakane on musical arrangements. Makuakane also worked with Hawaiian language experts on translations, as well as local musicians and singers on recording, including the Kamehameha School Children’s Choir and Hawaiian recording artist Lehua Kalima. The music, which was recently released as a collection of 13 songs in “Mele from Aunty’s Beach House, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa,” was nominated for two Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards: Compilation Album of the Year and Engineering – Hawaiian. The Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards honor the achievements of excellence in the Hawaiian recording arts. To bring home the sounds of Disney in Hawaiian, “Mele from Aunty’s Beach House” is available on iTunes and other music streaming applications. The CD is also available for purchase at Aulani Resort. Listen for my personal favorites, “Ke Noi Aku I Kahi Hōkū” or “When you Wish Upon a Star.” View the full article

When Disney Cruise Line said it was bringing a stage version of "Beauty and the Beast" to Disney Dream this fall, it promised a unique way of telling it, as if the scenes were part of a music box. The look of how that actually will take place is coming into view now. Director and choreographer... View the full article

Yesterday I gave you a first look at some the new spaces that debuted on the Disney Fantasy this week, including Star Wars: Command Post, Sweet on You and Tiffany & Co. Now, here’s a first look at the fun taking place in the all-new Marvel Super Hero Academy. For the first time on our ships, children can learn the ways of the mystic arts with Doctor Strange and open portals to different locales around the Marvel Universe. Young trainees can also come face-to-face with the mighty Thor to discover what it takes to become a true hero. How cool is that? I’ll be discovering more about these immersive new youth activities throughout the cruise, so stay tuned for more details! View the full article

Attending unique, exclusive events is among the best things about working for Disney, and Disneyland Resort cast members did just that earlier this week as part of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The Diversity Resource Group COMPASS (Community of Pacific Islanders, Asians and Allies) hosted a conversation for cast members with the directors of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” Ron Clements and John Musker, and producer Osnat Shurer, who shared how they brought the story to life. (Pictured above from left to right, with Disneyland Resort Ambassador Mikey Trujillo, are John, Moana, Ron and Osnat.) Their process included taking research trips to the Pacific Islands, where they consulted with linguists, anthropologists, natives and artists and learned about the beauty of the culture and the people. Ron pointed to a suggestion they heard in Tahiti, “know your mountain,” which means “knowing your history, lineage, who your ancestors were, going back almost to the beginning.” The attention to these details helps make “Moana” and many other Disney projects, both onscreen and around the world, as authentic as they are entertaining. “So much goes into everything we do – our movies, our parks – there is so much detail, work and love, and being aware of that makes [them] better.” “Osnat, Ron and John have created characters and stories that we all love,” said Allie Kawamoto, member of the COMPASS leadership team. “Our goal as a Diversity Resource Group is for cast members to leave feeling inspired, knowing that our company embraces diversity, and proud to bring these stories to life each day.” View the full article

When the iconic Disneyland Railroad and the Rivers of America attractions return to Disneyland park this summer, guests will discover new magic aboard these classic experiences. As we first shared last year, and seen in the artist’s rendering below (courtesy of Walt Disney Imagineering), the gorgeous new north bank of the Rivers of America will feature a beautiful new waterfront and an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Railroad will travel. The Rivers of America will continue to celebrate the Mississippi, Columbia, Missouri and Rio Grande rivers, enhanced now with a new Columbia Gorge section, highlighted by thundering waterfalls – signaling the return of large waterfalls to the rivers. Longtime Disneyland park fans will remember Big Thunder River Waterfall and Twin Sisters Waterfall; five spectacular new waterfalls along the Rivers of America harken back to these favorites – all on display for guests aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, Sailing Ship Columbia and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. Guests will also experience these features from aboard the Disneyland Railroad, which will travel across the rocks on a trestle that will even extend onto the river, providing a breathtaking view of the new waterfalls. And, for the first time ever, the Disneyland Railroad will be making a left-hand turn as it circles the park. In addition to the new waterfalls, Disneyland park fans will spot some familiar faces along the Rivers of America as well as throwbacks to Frontierland’s past. The Indian Village, now in a new location, will include a more prominently featured Shaman, seen telling the story of how the hummingbird taught the Indian chief to make a flute. We’ll have more to share on these returning attractions soon – including opening dates – so keep an eye on Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

The Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs Marketplace is the perfect place to snap a photo and show off your Disney style. Recently, we visited Tren-D to discover the latest Disney fashions for an impromptu photo shoot at the studio. Here’s a look at their outfits as captured by a Disney PhotoPass photographer using several fun virtual backgrounds. Tren-D offers a variety of tops, bottoms, dresses, and accessories designed for fashionistas of all ages. The team found nautical-themed outfits that give a nod to the upcoming Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” film that arrives in theaters on May 26. Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat? Try pairing a mermaid look with a virtual background inspired by Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” to truly feel part of that world. Make way, make way for island apparel and accessories using the Disney’s “Moana”-inspired background. You can also rock the dots like Minnie Mouse with virtual backgrounds of classic icons from Disney Parks such as Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park. Finally, feel like you’re from a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars-inspired scenes that compliment any out-of-this-world outfit. These are only a few of the great apparel options and virtual backgrounds available at Tren-D and the Disney PhotoPass Studio. I invite you to stop by Disney Springs Marketplace to see the rest. Photos taken at the Disney PhotoPass Studio can be linked to your My Disney Experience account and downloaded as part of an active Memory Maker entitlement or purchased individually at MyDisneyPhotoPass.com. Please note that PhotoPass photos are subject to the expiration policy found here. View the full article

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, the newest Disney Vacation Club Resort, is scheduled to open at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on July 17 (not offered in all states). This rustically elegant vacation getaway, which is currently under construction, will offer a variety of accommodation types all themed to the Pacific Northwest, using natural elements and traditional building materials from this region. Charming details throughout the Resort also pay homage to the Transcontinental Railroad and Walt Disney’s love of trains. Take a look inside this new Resort and hear about its design inspiration from someone who’s worked directly on the project, Walt Disney Imagineer Mitch Miorelli, in this video! Want to hear more about this new Resort, and see additional video interviews with Walt Disney Imagineers? Tune into The Makings of a New Frontier Webcast Event, hosted by design expert Sabrina Soto. This on-demand webcast, available from May 15 – June 15, provides a behind-the-scenes look at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins. View the full article

“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is giving voice to Gizmoduck on Disney XD’s “DuckTales.” Gizmoduck is “a Duckburg hero whose true identity is Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera, a brilliant young intern working for Scrooge McDuck's personal mad scientist, Gyro Gearloose,” Disney XD explained. Miranda... View the full article

Mobile Order at Pandora – The World of Avatar | Walt Disney World View the full article

As the May 27 opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar draws closer, we are excited today to share a new interactive way to explore the immersive new land of Pandora and support conservation efforts on Earth. Connect to Protect is a new mobile adventure that invites guests to participate in conservation ‘missions’ while exploring the incredible Valley of Mo’ara and helping protect the habits of at-risk animals here on Earth. Upon entering the land, guests using the My Disney Experience app will be invited to chat with one of the moon’s ecological specialists, Fitsimti “Fits” Buckley. Fits will guide you around Pandora, showing off some of the more exotic elements of the environment and sharing important messages about conservation along the way that can be applied both on Pandora and here on Earth. After completing one or more missions, you will unlock a $10 contribution from Disney Parks, through the Disney Conservation Fund, or a $5 contribution just for discussing conservation. You will then get to choose how that contribution will help protect or restore habitats important to one of 10 threatened categories of animals: apes, elephants, butterflies, coral reefs, cranes, monkeys, rhinos, sea turtles, sharks & rays, and tigers. Be sure to strike up a conversation with Fits this summer during your visit to Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, to protect some special habitats and species right here on Earth! View the full article